Increased cases of drug smuggling from Thailand
Increased cases of drug smuggling from Thailand 
NHK has learned that more than a dozen Thai women attempted to smuggle illegal stimulant drugs through Narita Airport near Tokyo over a 3-week period last year.
Authorities in Japan and Thailand say 13 women in their 20s to 50s have been indicted for smuggling a total of 13.9 kilograms of drugs, with a street value in Japan estimated at around 8 million dollars.
The women landed at Narita between mid-November and the beginning of December last year.
Investigators say each of the women carried up to 3 kilograms of the drugs, and that 2 of them were among travelers on a budget package tour.
The investi gators suspect that a criminal organization used the women as couriers in an effort to smuggle a large amount of illegal drugs over a short period.
Thailand's embassy in Tokyo called on Thai travelers visiting Japan to exercise caution when requested by someone else to transport a package.
The Japan National Tourism Organization says the number of Thai tourists visiting Japan hit a record of more than 987,000 last year.
Source: Google News Thailand | Netizen 24 Thailand